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Inspire South Africa 2025

From April 28 - May 7 and October 12 - October 21, Inspire volunteers will embark on a journey to South Africa engaging with local communities, running educational and psychosocial support programs for vulnerable children, youth, and families, and taking part in local community service projects such as home and school rehabilitation, and packaging and distributing food boxes. ​

Highlights

  • Cohort 1: April 28 - May 7, 2027
  • Cohort 2: October 12 - October 21, 2027
  • Fundraising Target → $3,500 CAD per volunteer
  • Registration Fee: CAD $575 (non-refundable, required upon acceptance into the program)

Limited spots available! Applications will close as soon as capacity is reached.

Apply today

Program Requirements

The Inspire Volunteer Abroad Program seeks participants with the following qualities:

  • Over 18 years old of age
  • Able to attend mandatory orientation sessions and all required training
  • A sincere interest in humanitarian work and global service
  • Experience and passion for working with youth and children
  • Strong leadership skills and teamwork capabilities
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Empathy and cultural sensitivity, particularly in supporting vulnerable populations
  • Flexibility, maturity, and the ability to adapt in new environments
  • Ability to commit to physically demanding activities and extended days while abroad

Background

Islamic Relief Canada has been working in South Africa since 2013, implementing projects that address key community needs, including healthcare, food insecurity, education, livelihoods, and support for orphans.


The Inspire Volunteer Abroad Program in South Africa focuses on supporting children through psychosocial programming, educational activities, and community service. Since 2018, Inspire has held 10 trips in South Africa, delivering educational and psychosocial support programs for orphans and vulnerable children.


During previous Inspire field studies, volunteers have had the opportunity to work directly with children at an Islamic Relief Canada-funded school, facilitate engaging and active learning activities for vulnerable children, and organize community events. Volunteers have also contributed to rehabilitating homes, supporting families and communities through hands-on service.


Through these experiences, volunteers gain a deeper understanding of the local context while contributing meaningfully to the communities they serve.

Check out a previous volunteer's experience! 


Main activities

  • Volunteers will work directly with vulnerable communities and children/youth. They will facilitate educational programming for orphans and vulnerable children with enriching activities and programs. This programming will focus on life skills and leadership, team building, outdoor education, and other psychosocial activities. 
  • Volunteers will also assist communities through various means, according to their needs, including home or school rehabilitation, building Wendy Houses, and packing and distributing hygiene/food/livelihood packages.
  • Furthermore, volunteers will have the chance to:
    • Visit the Islamic Relief project sites, meet and engage with the rights-holders to learn more about the sponsorship programs, and gain insight into their life stories.
    • Learn about South Africa's history and participate in educational organized sightseeing activities on Robben Island, Iziko Museums, and Table Mountain.

Benefits of field study

The Inspire program aims to provide volunteers with a unique and eye-opening experience, where they immerse themselves in a completely different context than they are normally accustomed to. This program encompasses the “give and take” principle; it is an opportunity to give back to vulnerable communities overseas whilst learning and growing skills in an enriching environment. 

The Inspire experience continues beyond the field study. Following the trip abroad, each volunteer will be required to complete a Passion Project, providing an opportunity to apply their learning and turn their experience into meaningful action within their community.

Volunteers who successfully complete all components of the Inspire program may also receive a CPD certificate, a globally recognized leadership development credential.

Upon completion of the program, letters of reference are available to participants upon request.

We also encourage Inspire alumni to continue their humanitarian journey by staying involved with Islamic Relief Canada and exploring opportunities to volunteer and contribute to meaningful humanitarian efforts beyond the program.

Apply today


Fundraising Process

Each participant is required to raise a minimum of CAD $4,000, which directly supports Islamic Relief Canada’s community development projects in South Africa, as well as Islamic Relief's global emergency initiatives wherever the need is greatest. Your contributions will directly empower vulnerable communities, particularly children and youth, through educational programs, psychosocial support activities, community service projects such as school and home rehabilitation, and the distribution of food and hygiene kits. These initiatives address socio-economic challenges, build resilience, and promote long-term self-reliance. Your support will make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need, where it is needed most.

Volunteers will be supported with their fundraising through:

  • Personalized fundraising coaching
  • Tips for community engagement
  • Digital tools and templates for outreach

Please note, none of the donations raised will be used for the volunteer’s personal travel or expenses.

Accommodations & Costs

Islamic Relief Canada will cover:

  • Accommodation during the trip
  • Ground transportation within South Africa
  • Group meals and organized group activities


Volunteers are responsible for:

  • Flights to and from South Africa
  • Mandatory health and travel insurance
  • Personal expenses not related to group logistics
  • Expenses related to the VSC (Vulnerable Sector Check) application

Pre-Trip Training

All accepted participants must attend mandatory orientation sessions and complete mandatory pre-trip training, which includes:

  • Orientation to Islamic Relief Canada’s values and humanitarian work
  • Fundraising strategy and planning
  • Passion Project sessions
  • Activity Planning sessions
  • Group bonding and spiritual preparation
  • Cultural etiquette and expectations in South Africa
  • Health, safety, and travel protocols

Training sessions will be approximately 1-2 hours each. Full attendance is required.

Reflections from our changemakers 

“It’s easier now to take a step back and appreciate the bigger picture in life. Spending time with the rights-holders helped me to realize that ultimately we are not in control of our life path, and whatever is meant for us will be ours.”

"Building relationships with fellow volunteers and Islamic Relief staff was one of my favourite aspects of the trip. The bonds we formed during these trips are unparalleled. Seeing the cultural diversity of all the people I met during the trip helped me to appreciate the beautiful diversity of our Ummah.”

“There was one day when we got a tour of BoKaap, a neighbourhood in Cape Town with a rich cultural and political history. The tour guide told us of his time fighting against apartheid, and he said there was a time when they received letters from a school in Canada. He said it had given them a much-needed boost in morale and that it had meant so much for them to know that people halfway across the world understood their struggle.